It is the middle of the 2019 NFL season and there are already teams getting ready for the potential of the 2020 season. That will start with the 2020 NFL Draft which takes place from April 23-25. Although there are teams that are not eliminated from playoff contention, some of the worst teams are prepping for their top picks. Here is a 2020 NFL mock draft at the midway point of the season.
2020 NFL Mock Draft – 2019 Midseason
- Cincinnati Bengals (0-8) – Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama)
The season has become an absolute nightmare for the Bengals offense and head coach Zac Taylor. This past week, the Bengals benched starting quarterback Andy Dalton in favor of rookie Ryan Finley. A new starting quarterback is inevitable for Cincinnati.
- Miami Dolphins (1-7) – Quarterback Justin Hebert (Oregon)
The race for the top overall pick is between the Bengals and the Dolphins. The difference is the Dolphins’ bye-week. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick cannot lead the team to a successful season. Miami has also given up on Josh Rosen even before he got his chance.
- Washington Redskins (1-8) – Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (Alabama)
The Redskins have found their quarterback in the distant future in Dwyane Haskins but the Redskins are planning on building around him. The Redskins’ offense ranks 31st in the league in passing yards per game (176.4). They’ll need to find a number one wide receiver. Jeudy can be their star receiver.
- Atlanta Falcons (1-7) – Defensive end Chase Young (Ohio State)
Atlanta’s defense has been a huge disappointment to the season especially with the stars they have. They are ranked last in the league in sacks accounted so far this season with seven sacks. Young can immediately come for the Falcons and be their impact pass rusher.
- New York Jets (1-7) – Offensive tackle Andrew Thomas (Georgia)
The Jets franchise is always having to reload and restructure their team. Even with a franchise quarterback in Sam Darnold and a star running back in Le’Veon Bell, they are still missing many pieces. The Jets offensive line has given up 34 sacks. This is tied for most in the league (with Tennessee) in only seven games.
- New York Giants (2-6) – Defensive end/outside linebacker A.J. Epenesa (Iowa)
Acquiring defensive end Leonard Williams from the Jets was a great move for the Giants. The Giants can create a stout defensive line with tackle Dexter Lawrence, a run-stopper in Williams, and a dominating pass rusher in Epenesa that is second-best in the draft after Chase Young.
- Denver Broncos (3-6) – Wide receiver Lavika Shenault Jr. (Colorado)
Whether the starting quarterback is going to be Joe Flacco or Drew Lock, the Broncos cannot tolerate their poor passing game. Their offense ranks 27th in the league (seventh-worst) in passing yards per game (202.6). They’ve also only accounted for six passing touchdowns so far this season.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-6) – Quarterback Joe Burrow (LSU)
Jameis Winston’s time as the starting quarterback for Tampa Bay has more than run its course. Winston (along with Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield) leads the league in interceptions thrown (12). The franchise and fans are eagerly waiting for the new quarterback that will make them relevant in the NFC South.
- Cleveland Browns (2-6) – Offensive tackle Trey Adams (Washington)
The Browns season has been incredibly horrid in every angle. Among the worst is the offensive line that has given up 23 sacks so far this season. Adams is also a great run blocker for the Browns’ run game.
- Los Angeles Chargers (4-5) – Cornerback Jeffrey Okudah (Ohio State)
While the Chargers should look at the quarterback of the future, they are at a point where they can select the best player in the draft. The Chargers can address positions in the secondary to make their pass coverage much more consistent.
- Las Vegas Raiders (via Chicago Bears) (4-4) – Cornerback Bryce Hall (Virginia)
Thanks to multiple trades of their star players, the Raiders have multiple first-round picks again. The Raiders need to acquire a secondary to fix their defense ranked 30th (third-worst) in passing yards allowed per game (285.3).
- Las Vegas Raiders (4-4) – Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (Oklahoma)
The Raiders leader in receiving yards this season is their tight end Darren Waller with 548 yards. The Raiders will need a more reliable target for their quarterback in Derek Carr. Lamb is one of the dynamic and explosive receivers in this Draft.
- Miami Dolphins (via Pittsburgh Steelers) (1-7) – Offensive tackle Alaric Jackson (Iowa)
This draft is a great opportunity for Miami to address its biggest offensive needs. The offensive line is an area that needs to be addressed and replaced. The offensive line has given up 28 sacks, which is fourth-highest in the league.
- Arizona Cardinals (3-5-1) – Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (Penn State)
Arizona is facing a steady incline of consistency and wins. They will need as much impact players as they can especially on the defensive side of the ball. Arizona’s defense ranks 29th in passing yards allowed per game (277) and 25th in rushing yards per game (130.1).
- Detroit Lions (3-4-1) – Defensive tackle Derrick Brown (Auburn)
The Lions are always looking to improve their defensive line. The Lions defense’ ranks 26th in rushing yards allowed per game (130.7). Brown is the most dominating defensive tackles in the draft which will be a huge compliment to defensive end Trey Flowers and nose tackle A’Shawn Robinson.
- Philadelphia Eagles (5-4) – Cornerback Kristian Fulton (LSU)
The Eagles might have made a huge mistake by not trading for a cornerback at the trade deadline last Tuesday. Defensively, the Eagles rank 21st in passing yards allowed per game (256.1). They have also given up the sixth-most passing touchdowns with 16 passing touchdowns allowed.
- Tennessee Titans (4-5) – Quarterback Jake Fromm (Georgia)
Much like Tampa Bay has given up on Jameis Winston, the Titans have given up on the idea of Marcus Mariota as their franchise quarterback. The Titans are 28th in passing yards per game (200.8). Fromm will likely be a more consistent and established NFL-level quarterback in the league than Mariota.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5) – Offensive tackle Calvin Throckmorton (Oregon)
Jacksonville has a tough decision to make when it comes to Gardner Minshew II or Nick Foles as their future. Regardless, the Jaguars will need more consistent blocking from their offensive line in the run game and passing game. The Jaguars offensive line have allowed 22 sacks so far this season.
- Carolina Panthers (5-3) – Safety Grant Delpit (LSU)
The linebacker position is the most needed position for the Panthers to address. The Panthers’ defense ranks 27th in rushing yards per game (135.1) while allowing the second-most yards per rush (5) and the most rushing touchdowns (12). Delpit would be the best defender available to run support the rush defense.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams) (4-5) – Tight end Albert Okwuegbunam (Missouri)
The Jaguars have a talented young receiving corps but they need more availability in the short passing game to have more of an efficient passing offense. Giving Foles or Minshew another target in the short passing game will also give wide receiver D.J. Chark the opportunity to run more deep routes.
- Dallas Cowboys (4-3) – Wide receiver Jalen Reagor (TCU)
The Cowboys need one more deep threat at wide receiver to complement quarterback Dak Prescott. Selecting Reagor will also be a huge addition for the Cowboys if Amari Cooper departs in free agency.
- Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans) (1-7) – Defensive end/outside linebacker Kenny Willekes (Michigan State)
The Dolphins have flaws on both sides of the ball. Miami ranks tied for 31st in total sacks accounted for with nine sacks. Selecting a dominating edge player that can be multi-dimensional can be a huge asset for the Dolphins.
- Buffalo Bills (6-2) – Wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (Alabama)
The Bills have created an offense that is decent based on an ensemble of misfit toys. Cole Beasley and John Brown are great receivers to possess but are not number one receivers. Ruggs can come in immediately as the main receiver to give quarterback Josh Allen a career boost.
- Minnesota Vikings (6-3) – Linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons (Clemson)
Consistency is a trait that is needed for the Vikings defense. Outside of Eric Kendricks, the inside linebacker need to be more consistent in stopping the run and passing game. Simmons can also play safety in some formations, making him multi-dimensional.
- Kansas City Chiefs (6-3) – Cornerback Paulson Abedo (Stanford)
Once again, the biggest weakness of the Chiefs is their ability to defend the passing game. The Chiefs have given up 11 passing touchdowns so far this season.
- Seattle Seahawks (7-2) – Guard Tyler Biadasz (Wisconsin)
The Seahawks have encountered many injuries on the offensive line including three interior linemen on injured reserve. Seattle will need to establish a more consistent and healthy offensive line for its high-powered dual offense.
- Baltimore Ravens (6-2) – Linebacker Dylan Moses (Alabama)
Baltimore’s defense is somewhere in the middle of the pack as compared to other top teams in the league. The Ravens have not performed to the same expectations as they were when they had current New York Jets middle linebacker C.J. Mosley.
- Green Bay Packers (7-2) – Wide receiver Tee Higgins (Clemson)
Green Bay’s offense currently ranks 13th in passing yards per game (373.5) with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Davante Adams has been limited to four games due injuries. The Packers will need high-level talent outside of Adams.
- Indianapolis Colts (5-3) – Defensive tackle/defensive end Javon Kinlaw (South Carolina)
The Colts need some big impact players at the defensive line as their defense ranks 20th in rushing yards allowed per game (111.3). Their defense has also accounted for 40 total tackles for loss so far this season.
- New Orleans Saints (7-1) – Wide receiver Collin Johnson (Texas)
Michael Thomas is an elite receiver in the league. Outside of him and an aging Ted Ginn Jr., whose in the last year of his contract, the Saints do not have a reliable wide receiver. Johnson can be that great second-option in deep passing situations.
- San Francisco 49ers (8-0) – Cornerback C.J. Henderson (Florida)
The 49ers have the number one passing defense in the league with an average of 128.7 passing yards allowed per game. While cornerback Richard Sherman is still playing at a top-level, the 49ers will need star corners of the future.
- New England Patriots (8-1) – Offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood (Alabama)
The offensive line for the Patriots is not in bad shape but they do need to make some adjustments. Consistency at the tackles is important but they also need help at the interior line. Leatherwood has played both guard and tackle well in his career at Alabama.
